Air conditioning fireplace



Feb. 20, 1951 HARTER 2,542,670

AIR CONDITIONING FIREPLACE Filed Aug. 21, 1946 IN V EN TOR. 5/8071 M fiartar ATTKs Patented Feb. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AIR CONDITIONING FIREPLACE Elson M. Harter, Blue Ash, Ohio Application August 21, 1946, Serial No. 691,980

7 Claims. (01. 219-39) The present invention relates to means for maintaining a comfortable condition of air and temperature in a room during warm or cold seasons.

The main object of this invention is to provide an ornamental or art fireplace structure of concrete, wood, iron, steel, plastic or brick, or other material containing means for selectively supplying warm and cool air currents to a room or chamber.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hollow cabinet wherein means are provided for setting up and selectively controlling room conditioning air streams.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of this kind that may be set against any wall of any desired room or used as the facing for any existing gas or hard fuel fireplace.

A further object in this invention is to provide a device of this kind with speed controlled electric fans to increase or decrease the velocity of said air currents as heat or cold temperatures are changed.

A further object in this invention is to provide a device of this kind with externally operable means to control air currents and cause them to travel in different directions through air passages in the cavity within the walls of said fireplace for the change of temperature in a room, den, or other given space.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character with exteriorly controlled heating means located inside the device for heating air discharged therefrom into the room or the space in which the device is used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described adapted for directing cooling or otherwise conditioned air, from an outside source, into a room.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a device embodying the invention having the top removed and parts broken away, the device operatively disposed against a room wall having air stacks connecting with the rear of the device.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the device of the invention, parts being broken away and showing the elements in position for delivering heated air into the room.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental view of the elements of Fig. 2 arranged for introducing cool air into the room.

Fig. 4 is a fragmental sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

The device of the invention comprises a suitable cabinet having end walls 29, a top wall or mantle piece 30 and a front wall 3| comprising one or more pieces arranged to simulate the breast 32 and jambs 33 of a fireplace mantle and framing a simulated fireplace opening 34, which is closed across the top by a shelf 35. The front is symmetrically designed so that a description of one half, as illustrated will serve for both.

In the breast 32 are grilled openings l9 serving at different times for the passage of air to and from the room. In each jamb 33 is another grilled opening 24 through which air that is heated in the device can be discharged into the room near the floor. Within the hollow interior of the ornamental cabinet or housing are provided means for setting up directional air currents and for controlling them as to direction, velocity and temperature as hereinafter described.

The enclosed and concealed operating means may comprise a single variable speed electric motor I supported on the top of the shelf 35 and controlled by a rotary speed regulator switch 2 that is mounted in the center of breast section 32 in known manner so that the motor can be controlled from the outside of the ornamental fireplace mantel. Service wire 4 serves to carry current from a line service source (not shown) while wire 3 provides a connection from the switch 2 to the motor I. A conductor 5 provides for the return flow of current from said motor to the return side of said source of electrical current.

A counter shaft 8 extends across the cabinet and is supported by suitable means, such as bearing brackets 1 adjacent the motor 5 and at its extreme ends by bearings 9. A conventional pulley and belt drive 6 serves to drive shaft 8 from motor I.

Blower fans In are mounted on each end of shaft 8 for setting up an air stream of selected volume in the respective ends of the cabinet and in controlled relation to the adjacent upper and lower openings 19 and. 24 by the means which now will be described. Substantially similar air control means are associated with each fan, hence a description of one will suffice for both.

The end portion of shaft 8 passes through the center of the open intake of the casing of fan l0 and through an open ended intake selector tube or selector valve H which is pivoted at 3636 so that the open end may be raised and lowered with respect to the shaft. A sheet metal bottom wall 31 of an air chamber l8 located just above shaft 8 has an opening 38 in which the valve H swings so that the intake of air to fan I0 is from inside chamber l8 to the fan when valve II is tilted upwardly as shown in Fig. 2. When the valve is tilted downwardly as shown in Fig. 3 the open intake end of tube valve ll registers with the adjacent end of an air tube l2 which is curved and leads to the rear of the cabinet where it connects with a suitable outlet opening in an air stack W in the wall 39 of the room in which the device is located. Stack W is designed to supply fresh cool air from outside the room and if desired the stack may be connected with a suitable air conditioning unit (not shown).

A duct 20 connects the discharge end of the fan ID with the grilled opening 24 in the front of the jamb 33 near the floor. A rectangular duct ll is provided at the rear of the device and serves to effect communication between the chamber l8 and the side of duct 26 closely adiacent the outlet of blower fan Iii.

A current deflector or damper I5 is pivoted in the junction of ducts [l and 2t and is connected by a link 16 with the swinging outer end of valve II so that when valve II is raised to the position shown in Fig. 2 the link I6 turns damper l5 on its axis and moves it into duct I'I, leaving the fan to draw air from the room, through opening l9, chamber I8 and valve II and discharge said air stream through duct 25) and out through opening 24 into the room. Heating means such as electric resistance heating units are mounted across the duct 2:] just inside opening 24 for heating the air from fan It as it approaches opening 24 for discharge into the room.

When valve II is moved on its pivots to the position shown in Fig. 3 the damper I5 is simultaneously moved into duct so that cool air from stack W is now drawn in through air tube I2, valve II, and is deflected by damper I5 through duct I! and into chamber I8 from which it is blown into the room by way of opening IS.

The valve II is manually operated by a crank rod I3 extending through breast 32 and a link I4 connecting the free end of crank I3 with the tube valve II. The turning of the crank rod to one limit serves to recirculate room air through the fan I0, while turning the crank to the opposite limit enables cool air from outside the room to be drawn in by the fan and discharged into the room (see Figs. 2 and 3).

The electric heating means 2| comprises four fixed parallel insulating frames or separators 22 providing between them three spaces for removably inserted heating elements 23. The, elements 23 are formed of rectangular insulating frames each having a length of resistance heating wire stretched across the open center in known fashion and terminating at opposite sides adjacent the top. The frames of the spacers and heating elements when assembled together form a rectangular conduit immediately behind and surrounding the grilled opening 24 in the jamb so that air from conduit 28 passes therethrough to be heated just before the air enters the room through opening 24.

The heating means 2i is controlled by a suit able dial type regulator switch 25 comprising a fixed and a rotary member. One of the relatively movable members of the switch carries a segmental contact that is electrically connected with one of the wires 28 of an electrical supply circuit. The other of the relatively movable switch 1 embers carries three current regulator coils or rheostatic elements each having a wire 23 to establish an electrical connection between it and one end of one of the heating elements 23. The remaining wire 27 of the electrical supply circuit has the remaining ends of all of the elements 23 connected therewith. For facilitating the inser- 4 tion and removal of the elements 23 into and from the device the wires 26 have fixed terminal connections including a blade contact on one face of separators 22. The frame of the heating elements carries cooperating blade contacts on both faces thereof adjacent each end where the ends of the resistance heating wire is connected. The remaining ends of the separators have blade contacts fixed on both faces cooperating with the blades on the removable heating elements 23. A loop type handle 4:) on each heating element allows the elements to be introduced between the separators where the cooperating blade elements are in contact and turning of switch 25 to proper position mayserve to deenergize all of the heating elements or to energize one element or two or three simultaneously as. a means for regulat ing the heat to betaken up by the air passing through duct 20 and out of opening 24.

In the present embodiment the crank I3 for valve H is journalled in the hollow center of switch 25.

The present device operates in the following manner. When cool or conditioned fresh air is desired in the room containing the simulatedart fireplace one or both cranks I3 are turned clockwise thus turning its associated valve ll down into communication with air tube I2 and simultaneously moving damper I5 to a position wherein discharge end of fan l0. connects through duct ll with the inside of air chamber l8. The motor I is now energized by turning switch 2 on and adjusting the speed of the variable speed motor. Thus one or both fansmay take fresh air from outside. the room via stack or stacks W and discharge it into the room through the corresponding opening or openings It in the breast 32.

If the two fans, operating at controlled low speed bring too much cool. air into. the room, one of the valves II may be reversed so that it will take in air from the room and recirculate it back to the. room through the associated bottom opening or air vent 24. while the other of the fans blows outside air into the room through the upper air vent on the opposite side of. the device. If both fresh air and heat. are desired the recirculating air may be heated by merely setting the dial of switch 25 to selectively energize, one, two or three of the heating elements 23.

When the room is to be heated the room air is merely recirculated by setting the valves II at each side of the device to the position shown in Fig. 2 and then setting. the. dial type regulator switches 25 on both. sides-to energize the heating units 2| as desired.

The device will be understood to be subject to minor modifications in structure and appearance within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described and distinguished the unique features of this fireplace, I claim and desire Letters Patent on:

1. In combinationa hollow cabinet for disposition against a room wall having an air stack opening, said cabinet having in its front, an upper opening and a lower air vent, an air pipe in the cabinet connected at its rear end into said stack opening and having its front end open and terminating inside the cabinet, a blower fan unit mounted in the cabinet and having an inlet opening in spaced relation with and above the air pipe, means forming a relatively separate air chamber alongside the blower fan unit and having an opening alongside the fan inlet and above the free end of the air pipe, a hollow tubular air selector valve pivotally mounted with its one end constantly in communication'with the fan inlet opening and its opposite end selectively movable into communication with the air pipe and the interior of the air chamber, said chamber at all times communicating with the upper opening in the cabinet front, an air discharge duct leading from the fan unit downwardly to the lower air vent in the cabinet front, said duct having a branch duct adjacent the fan unit and leading therefrom into the said air chamber, a deflector damper pivoted for movement into the branch duct whereby air from the fan unit passes entirely through said air discharge duct and out of the lower air vent, and for movement into the air discharge duct whereby air from the fan is directed through the branch duct and air chamber for discharge through the upper opening, means for moving the air selector valve on its pivotal mounting, link means connecting said valve and said deflector damper whereby the damper is moved into the branch duct when the valve is moved to connectthe air chamber with the fan inlet opening and whereby the damper is moved from the branch duct into the air discharge duct when the valve is moved to connect the air pipe with the fan inlet opening, power means for operating the fan, a heating unit in the air discharge duct ad acent the lower air vent and means to regulate the heating unit.

2. In a combination a hollow cabinet having in its front an upper opening and a lower air vent, means forming an air chamber within the cabinet connecting with said upper opening, an air pipe terminating at one end within the cabinet below the air chamber and adapted at its other end for connection with a remote source of cool air, a blower fan unit having its inlet opening adjacent said air chamber and the first mentioned end of the air pipe, a tubular selector valve communicating with the fan inlet opening and movable to selectively connect said opening with the air tube and air chamber, an air discharge duct connecting the fan outlet with said lower air vent, a branch duct connecting said air discharge duct with the air chamber, a deflector damper pivoted in the junction of said ducts, means connecting said Valve and said damper for movement in unison, whereby movement of the valve to a position wherein the fan inlet opening communicates with the air chamber serves to move the deflector out of the air discharge duct for directing air from the fan through said discharge duct and the lower air vent, and whereby movement of said valve to a position wherein the air tube communicates with the fan inlet opening serves to move the deflector damper into the air discharge duct, through said air chamber and out of said upper opening, means for selectively moving the valve to the positions indicated, a heating unit concealed behind the lower air vent and means for selectively controlling the temperature of said unit.

3. In a device of the class described the combination of a cabinet having in its front an upper opening and a lower air vent, a blower fan in said cabinet, an air pipe in the cabinet adapted for connection with a source of cool air, shiftable selector valve means connected with the air inlet of the fan, an air chamber adjacent said fan inlet and said pipe, said valve selectively movable to connect the fan inlet opening with the air pipe and the air chamber, an air discharge duct extending from the fan outlet to thelower air vent, a branch duct connecting said air discharge duct with said air chamber, a deflector for movement into the branch duct for permitting free discharge of air from the fan through the air discharge duct and lower air vent, said deflector being movable into said air discharge duct for directing the discharge of air from the fan through the branch duct, air chamber and upper opening, and means for simultaneously shifting said valve and deflector comprising an externally operable linkage connected to said valve and a linkage connecting said valve and said deflector.

4. In a combination a hollow simulated fireplace mantle having in its front an upper opening and a lower air vent, a power driven fan within the interior of the mantle, an air' discharge duct leading from said fan to said lower air vent, an air chamber adjacent the inlet opening of the fan, an air pipe in the cabinet for connection with a remote source of air and having a free end disposed angularly below said air chamber, a selector tube valve substantially in the inlet opening of the fan and movable on its pivot for connecting said opening selectively with the free end of the air pipe and the interior of the air chamber, a branch duct connecting the discharge air duct with the air chamber, a defiector linkage connected for simultaneous movement with said valve for deflecting the air discharge from the fan through the branch duct and air chamber when the valve is in communication with the air pipe and means to actuate the valve from the exterior of the cabinet.

5. In combination, a hollow cabinet having in the front an upper opening and a lower air vent, an air chamber communicating through said upper opening with the atmosphere in front of the cabinet, a pipe in the cabinet adapted for connection with a source of cool air, a blower ran unit alongside the air chamber and the end'of the air pipe, movable means to selectively connect the inlet of the fan with said air pipe and said air chamber, and means operable with the first mentioned means to direct air discharge from the fan through the air chamber and upper opening when said first mentioned means connects the air pipe with the fan inlet opening, said second mentioned means serving to connect the air discharge from the fan with the lower air vent when the first mentioned means connects the air intake opening of the fan with said air chamber.

6. The combination with a room having an opening to a remote source of air in the wall thereof, of a cabinet adapted for disposition against said wall over said opening, an air pipe in said cabinet connecting through said well opening with said remote source of air, a fan unit having an inlet opening, a tubular valve pivoted at diametrically opposite sides and having one end in constant communication with the fan inlet opening and movable on its pivotal mounting for selectively placing its free end in and out of registry with the end of the air pipe, an air chamber including a bottom wall having an opening through which the valve extends at all times, which opening is substantially closed by said valve body when said free end of the valve registers with the end of said pipe, and through which the free end of the valve may be moved out of registry with the air pipe and into free communication with the interior of the air chamber, the cabinet front and said air chamber having registering uncontrolled openings therein,

whereby air may be moved into and out-o'f-said openings, anair-discharge'duct leading from the fan to substantially the bottom of the cabinet, said cabinet having an air vent in the front thereof adjacent the bottom of said duct, a branch duct connecting the air chamber with the air discharge duct adjacent the fan, a deflector selectively movable-into and out of said air-discharge duct and-said branch duct respectively, and power means for driving the 'fan at selected speeds for introducing air-from the exterior to the interior oflthe room and ior'r'ecirculating the air in the "room as the valve and deflector are adjusted with relation to the fa n unit.

7.111 combination, a cabinet having an air chamber in the upper part thereof opening through the frontof the cabinet, acool air supplymeans in thecabinetbelow said'chamber, a fan in the cabinet having an intake opening disposed in part above the bottom of the air chamber and in part below it, a tube selector valve pivoted for disposing one end thereof 'constantly in said fan inlet,-and for selectively disposing its opposite end in communication with said air chamber and said cool air supply below the chamber, aduct connecting the fan outlet with the lower front exterior of the cabinet, a deflector controlling the fan discharge, a branch duct leading from the first mentioned duct and controlled by said deflector, meansoperable from the exterior of the cabinetfor simultaneously shitting the tube selector valve and the deflector to predetermined opposite limits of their respective movements and heating means "disposed 'in the bottom of the first mentioned duct.

ELSQN M. HARTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 152,031 Baker June 16, 1874 1,694,351 Long Dec. 4, 1928 1,722,560 Cornelius July 80, 1929 1,936,875 Hirschman Nov. 28, 1933 1,991,280 Hynes Feb. 12, 1935 1,993,521 Parsons Mar. 5, 1935 2,043,561 Sims June 9, 1936 2,119,038 Bell May 31, 1938 2,158,041 Covert May 9, 1939 2,212,222 Austin 1 Aug. 20, 1940 2,248,959 Christman et a1. Ju1y15, 1941 2,251,764 Shrock Augp5, 1941 2,337,518 Young et a1 1 Dec. 21, 1943 2,449,755 Taylor Sept. 21, 1948 2,468,217 Mailer 4 Apr. 26, 1949 2,471,784 Seifner etal May 31, 1949 

